ICC issues declaration on the next century of global business

Mirroring the declaration issued 100 years ago by ICC’s “Merchant of Peace” founders, the declaration sets out guiding principles for ICC as a purpose driven international organisation, working with renewed purpose to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.

Issued upon conclusion of the world business organization’s Centenary Summit in Paris today, the declaration endorses Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings on the urgent need to keep the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and underscores the urgent need for policy frameworks that support alignment of business operations with this target.

Embracing ICC’s renewed purpose to enable business worldwide to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all and commits to forging solutions for the future in the face of other global challenges including digital disruptions and rising inequality.

“In the years ahead, these disruptions will become increasingly pronounced in the absence of concerted action by global leaders to mitigate negative outcomes and drive collective solutions,” the declaration states.

The declaration consigns ICC to using the full extent of its resources and global network to tackle 21st century challenges by:

1. Working to preserve and modernise the global trading system.
2. Continuing to provide effective alternative dispute resolution methods to support global commerce.
3. Mobilise business behind the 1.5°C target and work towards the additional climate goal of net-zero emissions in many countries by 2050.
4. Bolster trust in digital technologies and collaborate with governments to design new global governance models conducive to a thriving and unified digital ecosystem and promote a human-centric evolution of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
5. Support private sector leaders to meet the calls of shareholders, governments and the public for a more inclusive and responsible capitalist model.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Summit, ICC launched a new work programme to fulfill commitments set out in the Centenary Declaration. Leveraging ICC’s global membership in over 100 countries, ICC will execute the work programme through five newly created and versatile knowledge hubs deploying five pivotal campaigns to enable business worldwide to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.

Commenting on the work programme, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton said: “Faced with pressing global challenges in the 21^st century, ICC and the global business community can – and must – do more as a force for good in the world. We will respond to this imperative with brave and bold action to meet the ambition of our renewed purpose.”

Read the full text of the ICC declaration on the next century of global business